Call for family centre certainty

The Western Australian Opposition has accused the State Government of leaving the operators of Karratha's family centre in the dark about its future.

A multi-million dollar health campus is due to be built on the site of the centre.

Labor's early childhood spokeswoman, Sue Ellery, says, if the centre, which cares for preschool children, is closed during construction, families will be put under pressure.

She has declined to make a policy announcement on the issue but says early childhood services are a high priority for Labor.

"They haven't been told where they'll be moving to, they haven't been told if it's a temporary move into a smaller place and then they'll get a space on the health campus or if in fact there is a permanent solution," she said.

"It's the State Government who should take responsibility to make sure Karratha Family Centre can continue to operate."

Ms Ellery says the new health campus will be of great benefit to the community but not if the family centre is closed.

"State Government can do something about that. This land, this building is owned by the State Government," she said.

"The Department of Communities could make it a priority now to make sure the services run here now continue to be offered while the new health campus is being built."

In a statement, the Minister for Community Services, Robyn McSweeney, said the Government firmly supports childcare centres in the Pilbara.

Ms Mc Sweeney says the Government is working with the Karratha Family Centre to find alternate premises.

She says more than $626,000 will be spent on family support and neighbourhood centres in the Pilbara this financial year.